JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, September 12, 2012- During the month of October, Prevent Blindness America is aiming to spread awareness of several important child eye care issues, including amblyopia, or lazy eye. Believe it or not, this is a fairly common eye problem, effecting roughly 120,000 children in the United States every year. It is one of the leading causes of vision loss in children.

Lawrence Levine, M.D., Pediatric Ophthalmologist with Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons says, “At Clay Eye, we recommend that all children have a comprehensive eye exam prior to starting school, usually around age 4 or 5 years old. A child’s brain/vision system has ultimately completely developed between the ages of eight to ten years old. If any vision problems have been undetected prior to this time, chances are they will be present throughout the rest of their life.”

What Are The Common Symptoms?

• Favoring one eye over another
• Closing one eye when reading or watching television
• Eyes that appear cross-eyed or one eye that looks outward
• Squints or complains when doing things close-up
• Bumping into things on one side

How Do You Treat Amblyopia?

When a child suffers from a lazy eye, the only way to build the strength back up in their weaker eye is to limit use of their strong eye. This is usually done by putting a patch over the strong eye, forcing the use of the other.

Dr. Levine insists that, “the best way to increase your child’s chances of complete recovery is to have an early diagnosis. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of a comprehensive eye exam for solid eye health for now and years to come.”

Dr. Levine, who has extensive experience in pediatric ophthalmology, joined the Clay Eye team in July 2011. He is the only pediatric ophthalmologist within the eight physician practice and one of the few pediatric specialists in the region. He’s a resource that parents now have access to right in their own community.

“Good vision is such an important part of a child’s development and is the foundation for education. I suggest if there is a concern, that you get an honest opinion from someone with experience. I have over a decade of experience in pediatric ophthalmology and emphasize a strong connection between doctor and child. While I specialize in kids, but I’m happy to see patients of any age.”

Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons offers comprehensive eye care in the following specialties: Cataract Surgery, Cornea Surgery, Medical Retina, Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma Surgery, LASIK Surgery, Cosmetic Eye Procedures, Pediatric Ophthalmology, and Pediatric Eye Exams. In addition, they offer Routine Eye Exams, Contact Lenses, and Boutique Eyewear for the entire family.

Clay Eye Physicians & Surgeons was established in 1977 and is an eight physician group. They currently have offices in Orange Park, Fleming Island and Mandarin. If you would like more information about Clay Eye, please contact (904) 272-2020, or visit their website at www.clayeye.com

Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons offers comprehensive eye care in the following specialties: Glaucoma Surgery, Cornea Surgery, Diabetic Eye Disease and Macular Degeneration, Cataract Surgery, Laser Floater Lysis, Medical Retina, Retinal Surgery, LASIK Surgery and Cosmetic Eye Procedures.  In addition, they offer Routine Eye Exams, Contact Lenses, and Boutique Eyewear for the entire family.